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Sunday, January 27, 2013

What Happens Next?

Recently I read an amazing book by Colleen Clayton called What Happens Next.

Let's flip to the back cover:

How can you talk about something you can’t remember?Before the ski trip, sixteen-year-old Cassidy “Sid” Murphy was a cheerleader, a straight-A student, and a member of a solid trio of best friends. When she ends up on a ski lift next to handsome local college boy, Dax Windsor, she’s thrilled; but Dax takes everything from Sid – including a lock of her perfect red curls – and she can’t remember any of it.

Back home and alienated by her friends, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey “The Living Stoner” Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey (slacker, baker, total dreamboat), Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if she can just shake the nightmares and those few extra pounds, everything will be perfect… or so she thinks.

Humorous and thoughtful, Colleen Clayton’s stunning debut is a moving exploration of one girl’s triumph over tragedy.

***

I already know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT in this book, but before you go grab a copy and find out for yourself, hang out a minute and see what Colleen had to say about her life and her writing:

Please tell us a little about your everyday life.

My typical 24 hour day looks like this:

5:50-5:51 AM Put my kids off to school (they're teens so mostly it consists of
me banging on their doors and yelling "Wake up!" and then going back
to bed...)

5:51-9:30 Sleep

9:30-10:00 Lay there and think about getting up.

10:00-10:30 Currently, as of Jan 7th, walk by my Christmas Tree that's still
out and wish I had a Harry Potter wand. Check my various networks (email,
Twitter, Facebook) while having a hot chocolate. Stalk myself online.

10:30-12:30 Shower then walk dogs in my town (I have a small dog-walking
business. The Irish Sitter: "Keeping your furry family members healthy,
happy, and home"), hit a drive-thru or gas station for a sandwich and iced
coffee. Think about how I'm totally going to hit the gym after work.

12:30 - 3:30 Teach writing classes at Youngstown State.

3:30-3:45 Skip the gym thing and head home.

3:45-3:46 Walk by my Christmas tree again and wish I was Samantha from Bewitched.

3:46-4:00 Check my networks again. Stalk myself some more.

4:00-7:00 Family time, dinner, kids' extracurriculars, homework, and sometimes
laundry

Did you always know how What
Happens Next would end, or did it change as you wrote it?

The initial ending was very explosive. Like, Law & Order Special Victims
Unit explosive. The current ending is much more realistic and touching, I
think.

Is there anything you can tell us about how your cover was
designed?

It was a total surprise and I absolutely LOVED the silhouette of Sid in winter
against a night sky, standing on a road with her arms outstretched. At first, I
was hesitant about the color of the title font. But then it grew on me and I
understood why the cover designer chose it. It's hopeful and light-hearted
which is a nice contrast with the darkness of the silhouette and is in line
with the tone of the book...poignant but humorous.

Can you tell us a little about your path to publication?

40 agents rejected this
manuscript so it was long, brutal, and frustrating. I generally just walked
around feeling like a failure but tried to keep a good face on for my family's
sake. I lit candles at various churches for two years, folded my hands, looked
up at Jesus and said: "Please God...I want this so bad." Also,
I'd cry in the car a lot.I landed an agent in summer while on vacation
in Myrtle Beach. The following winter, we sold the manuscript to the first
publisher who read it. I went to Lakewood Park, one of the settings in the
book, sat on a swing that my main character sits on and looked out at Lake
Erie. It was winter and snowy and beautiful. I thanked God and cried some more,
only with joy this time.

What’s next for you?

Another book! HOORAY! (***lightens mood***) Same high school but with marginal
characters from WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. Untitled. Teaser: "Take Kristen
Stewart's ADVENTURELAND, add an episode of HOARDERS, mix in a Heath
Ledger-looking biker boy and stir..."

Do you have any marketing
advice for other writers?

Twitter, giveaways, Goodreads, blogger outreach, local book signings and then a
signing in NYC if you can swing it. Meet in-person with your agent, editor, and
PR rep while you're there. The rest is up to the word-of-mouth Gods.

Loved this interview. I'm always fascinated by other writers' schedules. I'm bowing down to Colleen's middle of the night work and balancing that with teaching. Amazing. Her book was amazing too. One of my favorites this year and very much looking forward to the next!